Auto Accidents - About Auto Accident Injuries - Treatment in Richmond, VA

Injuries from car accidents are on the rise in recent years.  Whiplash is the most common injury sustained from a car accident.  Whiplash can be defined as an acceleration injury and most commonly involves an unaware victim in a stationary vehicle that is struck from behind.  Symptoms can include neck pain, dizziness and headaches.  They can occur for months or years after accidents.  Pain onset can be immediate or hours, days or months later.  A common indication of injury is stiffness or soreness in and around the back or neck area.  The extent of injury is often underestimated because patients with multiple injuries may not mention pain in an area while at the hospital but may experience considerable pain and disability later.

A common symptom that patients experience is between the shoulder blades.  This can be from injury to this area, or it can be referred pain that comes from the lower neck region.  Another common symptom is pain in the head, neck and shoulder regions.  This comes from tearing of ligaments and other supporting structures.  This tearing is referred to as a sprain/strain injury.  This does not mean a complete tear, but small tears in the fibers of the muscles, tendons and ligaments.  When a vehicle is struck, some of that energy is absorbed by the vehicle and some of that energy is absorbed by the passengers.  Our bodies are not able to handle the force and tearing or sprain/strain in the result.  This is more commonly known as whiplash syndrome.

Now that we know what it is, we need to talk about the treatment of whiplash.  Medically, anti-inflammatories and/or pain medications are given and rest is recommended.  Physical therapy may also be recommended.

Studies show that the actual healing time for such an injury can take as long as one to two and a half years.  If the proper treatment is not given, with enough time, these injuries will heal with scar tissue.  Scar tissue is much weaker than normal tissue.  The result is less stability in the area, as well as more problems in the future.  This includes early onset of spinal arthritis, pain and other symptoms that never really go away as well as reduced function in that area.

Treatment then is best when it is right after the injury.  This is because scar tissue has not formed in the injured area.  Scar tissue is however still treatable.  The first thing to do for the injury is to reduce the inflammation.  A natural way to do this is to apply ice to the injured area for twenty minutes several times a day.  The next component of treatment is to loosen the injured muscles.  This allows better circulation of fluids and improves healing.

The next thing is chiropractic adjustments.  This is to move areas of the spine that became restricted from the impact.  Over time this combination gets the injured areas healing.  Exercises then help to stabilize the area.  With enough treatment, proper healing can occur.  This will significantly minimize the risk of problems in the future.

Call Spinal Correction Center of Richmond today at (804) 740-PAIN to schedule an initial exam and consultation.